Tools for the Reluctant DBAhttp://sqlblog.com/blogs/allen_white/archive/2008/07/07/tools-for-the-reluctant-dba.aspxWe all know them, they're usually developers or network admins who show some abilities when database problems arise, so they're "elected" to the role of DBA, whether they want it or not. They often don't have the necessary training or insight into theenCommunityServer 2.1 SP2 (Build: 61129.1)re: Tools for the Reluctant DBAhttp://sqlblog.com/blogs/allen_white/archive/2008/07/07/tools-for-the-reluctant-dba.aspx#7743Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:57:08 GMT21093a07-8b3d-42db-8cbf-3350fcbf5496:7743aspiringgeek<p>With one exception, my tools are all out-of-the-box. &nbsp;I'm unsure how suitable they are for reluctant DBAs, but since you asked here are my staples</p>
<p>Windows PerfMon</p>
<p>SQL Trace</p>
<p>ClearTrace</p>
<p>DMVs: </p>
<p> &nbsp;Expensive Queries:</p>
<p> &nbsp; &nbsp;sys.dm_exec_query_stats as qstat</p>
<p> &nbsp; &nbsp;CROSS APPLY sys.dm_exec_query_plan(qs.plan_handle) as qplan</p>
<p> &nbsp; &nbsp;CROSS APPLY sys.dm_exec_sql_text(qs.sql_handle) as qtext</p>
<p> &nbsp;Wait Stats:</p>
<p> &nbsp; &nbsp;sys.dm_os_wait_stats</p>
<p> &nbsp;Virtual File Stats:</p>
<p> &nbsp; &nbsp;sys.dm_io_virtual_file_stats</p>
<p> &nbsp;Plan Cache:</p>
<p> &nbsp; &nbsp;sys.dm_exec_cached_plans as c</p>
<p> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;CROSS APPLY sys.dm_exec_sql_text(plan_handle) </p>
<p> &nbsp;Real-Time Blocking:</p>
<p> &nbsp; &nbsp;sys.dm_tran_locks as locks</p>
<p> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;JOIN sys.dm_os_waiting_tasks as waiters</p>
re: Tools for the Reluctant DBAhttp://sqlblog.com/blogs/allen_white/archive/2008/07/07/tools-for-the-reluctant-dba.aspx#7847Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:16:55 GMT21093a07-8b3d-42db-8cbf-3350fcbf5496:7847ALZDBA<p>in addition to the scripts posted above ....</p>
<p>- IMO the once in a while DBA needs SSMS including PerformanceDashboard !</p>
<p>- tons of ice to keep the head cool at incident time.</p>
<p>- a shortcut to a good sqlserver related forum.</p>
<p>- the guts to ask for more SQL-training. (Is this a pingback nowadays &nbsp;? ;) )</p>
<p>- A boss that is aware of the gamble he is taking and is willing to take the blames for this. (and not just rounding up the issue by firing his firefighter) </p>
<p>- and off course - I wouldn't be me if I didn't refer to it - a good fridge, to keep his beer at the desired temperature till the crisis is over :)) </p>
re: Tools for the Reluctant DBAhttp://sqlblog.com/blogs/allen_white/archive/2008/07/07/tools-for-the-reluctant-dba.aspx#43350Mon, 14 May 2012 20:56:49 GMT21093a07-8b3d-42db-8cbf-3350fcbf5496:43350IowaTechBear<p>SSMS is a given. &nbsp;A hit about Googling any error messages and a few links sqlblog.com, sqlskills.com as a start. &nbsp;I would also throw in a copy of SQL Server 2008 (or other version) Internals by Kalen Delaney for when they are ready to start understanding WHY they should be following the advice from the established people here and on SQLSkills.</p>
<p>I find this interesting since I am working on a presentation on something similar. &nbsp;I started out in SQL Server as a &quot;DBA by Default&quot; and I would welcome to hear from others who were put into the same position and the types of things they came across and the hard lessons that they also learned.</p>